Belonging to the Daisy family of drinks, the Gin Daisy shakes gin with lemon juice, sugar, and grenadine and pours the result over ice in an old-fashioned glass, finished with a maraschino cherry and an orange slice. The Daisy template — spirit, citrus, sweetener, and grenadine — yields a bright, coral-tinted drink that sets the gin's botanicals against balanced sweet and sour elements, landing at around 12 percent alcohol by volume. As one of the original cocktail-family templates, it occupies a foundational place from which many later drinks descend.
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Gin Daisy
Zutaten
- Gin 2 oz
- Zitronensaft 1 oz
- Zucker 1/2 tsp superfine
- Grenadine 1/2 tsp
- Cocktailkirsche 1
- Orange 1
Anweisungen
In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the gin, lemon juice, sugar, and grenadine. Shake well. Pour into an old-fashioned glass and garnish with the cherry and the orange slice.
The Gin Daisy is a classic cocktail belonging to the Daisy family of drinks, combining gin with lemon juice, sugar, and grenadine shaken and poured into an old-fashioned glass over ice, garnished with cherry and orange. The Daisy formula — spirit, citrus, sweetener, and grenadine — produces a bright, coral-hued drink that balances the gin's botanicals against sweet and sour elements. It is one of the original cocktail family templates.
History & Origins
The Daisy cocktail family dates to the 19th century and is documented in Jerry Thomas's 1876 bartending guide 'The Bar-Tender's Guide.' The original recipe used yellow chartreuse as the sweetener; grenadine became the standard adaptation in the 20th century. The Margarita is widely believed to have evolved from the Tequila Daisy, illustrating the template's lasting influence.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: juniper and gin botanicals with bright lemon citrus and a sweet pomegranate-cherry note from the grenadine. Palate: tart and citrus-forward with lemon acidity balanced by the grenadine's sweetness and the gin's herbal complexity. Finish: dry, slightly sweet, and botanical with lingering citrus and a cherry note.
Pro Tip
Shake vigorously to fully integrate the grenadine with the lemon juice, as grenadine has a tendency to settle — and garnish with both the cherry and orange slice as specified for the traditional presentation.
Verwendete Techniken
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in a Gin Daisy?
A Gin Daisy is made with gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and grenadine (or another red liqueur), shaken with ice and strained into a goblet or stemmed glass, often topped with a splash of soda or sparkling water. The grenadine adds both color and fruity sweetness, producing a pink-hued cocktail that is tart, refreshing, and visually appealing.
What cocktail family does the Gin Daisy belong to?
The Daisy is one of the foundational categories of classic cocktail making, defined by a spirit, citrus juice, sweetener, and a small quantity of a flavorful modifier such as grenadine or a liqueur. The Margarita is widely considered a Daisy variant — its name literally translates to 'daisy' in Spanish — making the Gin Daisy the direct gin-based ancestor of one of the world's most popular cocktails.
How should a Gin Daisy be garnished?
Traditional garnishes for a Gin Daisy include a citrus wheel, a maraschino cherry, or a small sprig of fresh herbs. Since the cocktail has a rosy pink color from the grenadine, a garnish that contrasts — such as a green mint sprig or a dehydrated citrus wheel — can be visually striking. Some versions are served in a metal cup over crushed ice to maintain the drink's chill longer.
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